Philadelphia Eagles 2009 Draft Projections
Who the Eagles will pick in the 2009 NFL Draft
It's that time of year again when NFL fans start rushing to their favorite mock draft sites to see who their team will pick in the upcoming draft. In Philadelphia, it is no different.
If the Eagles don't trade out of the first round, which has become commonplace over the last few years, they will have two first round picks (21st and 28th overall) to improve upon their 2008 ending at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals.
Philadelphia Eagles' Draft Needs
Primary Needs: Offensive Tackle, Tight End and Running Back
Secondary Needs: Free Safety
The general consensus is that the Eagles need youth on the offensive line with the future of free agents Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas unknown. Even if the Eagles bring back these veteran linemen, they will need to begin developing younger players to learn from Runyan and Thomas.
According to the Feb. 7, 2009 Philadelphia Daily News, Les Bowen reports that Runyan will be out four to six months following knee surgery.
With L.J. Smith likely on his way out of town, the Eagles’ front office must decide how much they like Brent Celek quickly. It seems likely that the Eagles will draft a tight end early in the draft to give Donovan McNabb another offensive weapon, especially in the red zone.
Brian Westbrook needs a running mate. Westbrook, an All-Pro caliber running back has had difficulty staying healthy while the Eagles have asked him to carry a heavy load year in and year out. The Eagles have seen the success of using a committee of running backs. Andy Reid used a triumvirate of backs with great success in 2003 (Duce Staley, Correll Buckhalter and Brian Westbrook).
Just a look around the NFL in 2008 will reinforce this notion. The top two teams in the conference during the regular season, New York and Carolina, both used a multi-back system. The Giants used Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw with great success. Meanwhile, using DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart effectively in Carolina paid great dividends for the Panthers. The Eagles are projected to draft a solid running back in the 2009 draft to help avoid Westbrook injury.
The Eagles need to draft a solid free safety to prepare for the inevitable days without Brian Dawkins patrolling the secondary at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles will likely bring Dawkins back in 2009, but picking his replacement in this draft will serve as a great benefit for the future free safety to learn under the Canton-bound fan favorite.
Here is what the latest first round mock drafts are predicting for the Eagles:
ESPN (Kiper): (21) Chris "Beanie" Wells (RB – Ohio St.) (28) Michael Oher (OT – Mississippi)
ESPN (McShay): (21) Brandon Pettigrew (TE - Ok. St.) (28) Knowshon Moreno (RB – Georgia)
SI.com: (21) Jason Smith (OT – Baylor) (28) Knowshon Moreno (RB – Georgia)
CBS Sports: (21) Chris "Beanie" Wells (RB – Ohio St.) (28) William Beatty (OT - UConn)
Fox Sports: (21) Chris "Beanie" Wells (RB – Ohio St.) (28) Eben Britton (OT Arizona)
NBC Sports: (21) Percy Harvin (WR - Florida) (28) William Beatty (UConn)
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